Why is Israel inviting some people from India and giving them citizenship?

A group of about 250 people from India’s northeastern states of Manipur and Mizoram recently arrived in Israel. This group is the first batch of the ‘Bnei Menashe’ community to settle in Israel. Many more are set to arrive in the coming weeks and months.

The Bani Manasseh community is considered one of the ‘Lost Jewish Tribes’. These people say that their ancestors belonged to the Menashe tribe 2800 years ago, who migrated from the Middle East to Asia in ancient times. Over the centuries, these people settled in the north-east of India via Persia, Afghanistan, Tibet and China.

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While here they preserved Jewish customs, although later missionaries converted many to Christianity. Now when they go to Israel they will have to return to Judaism, after which they can become citizens of Israel.

What is ‘Operation Wings of Dawn’?

In November 2025, the Israeli government announced the launch of ‘Operation Wing of Dawn’. Its purpose is to bring the remaining members of the Bani Manasseh community to Israel. Under this operation, about 1200 more people can reach Israel by the end of this year. Overall, the plan is to bring the entire community there by 2030.

The government of Israel has fixed an expenditure of about 30 million dollars (about Rs. 250 crores) for this work. This includes airfare, transition classes, accommodations, Hebrew language lessons, and other amenities.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said this is an important “Zionist” decision, which will strengthen Israel’s northern regions.

Why do people want to go to Israel?

Members of this community say they are not able to fully observe Jewish customs in India. ‘We practice Judaism, but we can’t observe all the rituals here,’ said Benjamin Haokip of Manipur. We want to go to Israel so that we can live with complete religious freedom.

“We have full confidence in the Israeli government,” said Shimon Ngamthenalal, a community member. He has promised that all Bani Manasseh will reach Israel by 2030.

How was the reception?

These new members were given a grand welcome at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport on April 23, 2026. People from the community already living in Israel were cheering them on. Newcomers walked the red carpet dressed in traditional attire.

Israel’s Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofar said, ‘We are making history. We are bringing the entire Bnei Manasseh community to Israel. It is a very emotional moment to welcome these new ‘olim’ (new immigrants) just after the state’s 78th Independence Day. Welcome home! The word ‘Aliyah’ refers to the settlement of Jews in Israel, and the newcomers are called ‘Olim’.

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Half of the people have moved to Israel

About half of the Bani Manasseh community has moved to Israel since the 1990s. There are still about 6000 people left in India, who are waiting to go to Israel. About 10,000 people are said to belong to this community in Northeast India.

This was the first flight. Two more flights are scheduled to arrive in the next two weeks. In this way, gradually the whole community will reach Israel.